Clamp



u 21 1945. I J. PRINGLE CLAMP Filed Feb. 26; 1944 VEN TOR A1TURNEY5 Patented Aug. 21, 1945 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I i 2,383,078 i i Floyd J. Pringle, Massena, N. Y; Application February 26, 1944, Serial No..524,'055

a Claimsh (o1.294 11s) The invention relates to a grip or clamp and more especially to an easy release plate handling :boiler plates.

Th primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the same is used for handling heavy steel plates or any flat object of great weight with the greatest possible ease, the device being of novel construction to assure safety during the lifting of the work and also can be readily released and applied with ease and rapidity.

Another object of the invention is the provision of :a device of this character wherein the jaw members carry handles so that the device can be operated from either side and such handles enable the application and removal of the device with dispatch and ease.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is extremely simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and' efiicient in its purpose, strong,' durable, easy of operation and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter mor fully described in detail, illustrated in the'accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out pended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side View partly broken away of the device constructed in accordance with the invention. i l

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken onthe line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. 4

Similar reference characters indicate COITG'. spending parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device constituting the present invention comprises a pair of jaw members I0, these being swingingly connected to each other by a pivot H and such members are formed with a work receiving gap hook for in the claims. hereunto ap- I2 therebetween which'is confronted by serrated work engaging pieces l3 which are replaceable through the medium of the tongue and groove connection I4 between each piece l3 and the jaw member ID.

The jaw members [0 at theother ends thereof are formed withjaw actuating levers l5 having thereibetween a sector shaped actuator wedge member IS with which is formed the shackle l1 forthe lift cable with which the device is associated for the lifting of work when introduced between the work engaging pieces l3 and gripped by the said device.

The levers [5 have suitably joined therein bearing rollers l8 making contact with the wedge l6 which is slidably supported between the levers [5 of the device for easy and smooth working of said wedge I6 in the opening and closing operation thereof with respect t the jaw members I0.

, The levers l5 of the jaw members II] have fitted in opposite sides of the device loop like handles l9 which protrude sufficiently for hand engagement thereof and these handles [9 are utilized for the convenient opening and closing of the jaw members H], in that such handles l9 are pressed toward each other which enables the opening of the jaw members In when the wedge It has been brought to a lowered position or moved inwardly ofthe levers l5 whereby the latter can move toward each other for the opening of said jaw members. i

The work is introduced between the pieces I3 when such work is in a vertical position although it can be grasped when in a horizontal position, and upon pull upon the wedge it through the shackle l1 engaged on the lift cable the jaw memopening and closing movements thereto, bearing rollers carried by the jaw members and engageable with the wedge for minimizing friction during movement thereof, a grapple associated with said wedge, and handles arranged at opposite sides of the jaw members and coextensive for a determined distance thereof whereby manual gripping of said handles enables the easy opening of the jaw members.

2. A device of the character described comprising companion jaws having inwardly projecting overlapped ears spaced upwardly from their lower ends and pivotally connected to mount the jaws for swinging movement to opened and closed positions, portions of said jaws above said ears constituting operating levers and having their inner side faces formed with longitudinally extending channels gradually reduced in depth towards their upper ends to provide sloping inner walls constituting upwardly converging cam surfaces, there being pockets adjacent upper ends of said channels, rollers rotatabl mounted in said pockets and projecting into said channels, an up wardly tapered wedge between said levers having opposite side portions fitting within aid channels and its side edge pieces bearing against said rollers, and said wedge having a shank at its upper end projecting upwardly above said levers and provided with means for engaging a suspension cable.

3. A device of the character described compris-v ing companion jaws having inwardly projecting overlapped ears spaced upwardly from their lower ends and pivotally connected to mount the jaws for swinging movement to opened and closed positions, portions of said jaws above said ears constituting operating levers, spaced transversely from each other, an upwardly tapered wedge shiftable vertically between said levers and having means at its upper end for connection with a cable, there being openings adjacent the ears and upper ends of said levers, and handles extending longitudinally of the levers and mounted in the openings.

FLOYD J. PRINGLE. 

